Information for record number MWA178:
Alvecote Priory Dovecote

Summary The site of a dovecote, a house for doves or pigeons. It was associated with the Benedictine priory at Alvecote. The dovecote dates to the Medieval period and has been built in stone, with later repairs in brick. It lies 250m northeast of Alvecote Grange.
What Is It?  
Type: Dovecote
Period: Medieval - Post-Medieval (1066 AD - 1750 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Shuttington
District: North Warwickshire, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SK 25 04
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Scheduled Monument (Grade: )
Listed Building (Grade: II)
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

 
Description

 
Source Number  

1 The earliest recorded dovecote in Warwickshire. It is mentioned in a survey of Alvecote Priory lands of 1291. Only the lower portion survives, the upper part is of brick and probably 17th century. The W wall has a low square headed doorway and two buttresses. An alighting ledge of stone projects under each alternate tier of holes. 720 nest holes and remains of a potence post survive. The building is roofless and overgrown.
2Dimensions of the dovecote.
3 The dovecote contained about 350 pigeon holes, is roofless and derelict.
4 Description of buildings at Alvecote Priory including the remains of medieval wall and the barn to the west.
5 Position of dovecote marked on map.
6 A square stone building which has been raised in brick. It is now roofless.
7 Discussion for the protection of the dovecote.
8 Photos of the dovecote c1930-45.
9 Survey drawings of the dovecote.
10 The dovecote has now been re-roofed.
11 This structure is in two phases: the lower part is of stone, the upper part is in brick faced in stone. The interior is lined with nesting boxes. Claimed to date from 13th century.
12 Recorded in Foster dovecote Survey.
13 MPP Assessment notes dovecote is unusual in having two distinct phases, the earlier (14th century) having important associations with the Priory (WA 177). However, integrity of both phases compromised by unsympathetic repairs.
14 dovecote is believed to be monastic in origin. The earliest record of a dovecote in Warwickshire is that documented at Alvescote in 1291. The dovecote is square 3 by 3 meters ans is of massive stone construction with a modern concrete roof and small square headed doorway in the western face. It survives to a height of 2m and includes over 300 L-shaped nest holes with stone alighting ledges. The position of the original potence is clearly visible in the floor.
15 Scale drawings from 1979.
16 Early undated Ancient Monuments record from Ministry of Works. Tamworth Colliery Company named as owner.
 
Sources

Source No: 11
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: North Warwicks Survey
Author/originator: Molyneux N A D
Date: 1976
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Alvecote Priory, Dovecote
Author/originator: Various
Date: 1980
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Desk Top Study
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1951
Page Number: 5
Volume/Sheet: Tamworth Rural
   
Source No: 15
Source Type: Drawing
Title: Alvecote Priory Dovecote
Author/originator:
Date: 1979
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 10
Source Type: Descriptive Text
Title: Warwickshire Monuments Evaluation and Presentation Project
Author/originator: Baker H
Date: 1987
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Field Survey Form
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Photograph
Title: Alvecote Priory
Author/originator: Willams S E
Date: 1977
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: C1930-45
   
Source No: 9
Source Type: Plan
Title: Alvecote
Author/originator:
Date: 1979
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Record Card/Form
Title: OS Card 29NE1
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1967
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 29NE1
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Serial
Title: TBAS vol 66
Author/originator: Sapcote E S
Date: 1945
Page Number: 124 - 125
Volume/Sheet: 66
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Serial
Title: TBAS vol 66
Author/originator: Sapcote E S
Date: 1945
Page Number: 124-5
Volume/Sheet: 66
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: SAM List 1983
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1983
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: Alvecote Priory
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1967
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 14
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: Alvecote Priory and Dovecote
Author/originator: DCMS / English Heritage
Date: 2002
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 16
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: Alvecote Priory Dove Cote
Author/originator: Ministry of Works
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 13
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: MPP Assessments (Dovecotes)
Author/originator: EH
Date: 1998
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Warks #18
   
Source No: 12
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: The Warwickshire Dovecotes
Author/originator: Foster P W
Date: 1979
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
Alvecote Priory Dovecote, Shuttington, North Warwickshire
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1977
Click here for larger image  
 
Alvecote Priory Dovecote, North Warwickshire
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Click here for larger image  
 
The dovecote at Alvecote Priory, Shuttington
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 30/09/1987
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
none Scheduled Monument Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) are those archaeological sites which are legally recognised as being of national importance. They can range in date from prehistoric times to the Cold War period. They can take many different forms, including disused buildings or sites surviving as earthworks or cropmarks.

SAMs are protected by law from unlicensed disturbance and metal detecting. Written consent from the Secretary of State must be obtained before any sort of work can begin, including archaeological work such as geophysical survey or archaeological excavation. There are nearly 200 SAMs in Warwickshire.
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designation Listed Building Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a statutory list. These buildings are protected by planning and conservation acts that ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them.

Depending on how important the buildings are they are classed as Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II. Grade I buildings are those of exceptional interest. Grade II* are particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Those listed as Grade II are those buildings that are regarded of special interest.
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source LBL Listed Building List. Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a list. Buildings placed on the list are protected through various planning and conservation acts which ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them. The Listed Buildings List is compiled and maintained by English Heritage. It includes details of where the building is, when it was built, a description of its appearance, and any other special features. back
source OS Card Ordnance Survey Record Card. Before the 1970s the Ordnance Survey (OS) were responsible for recording archaeological monuments during mapping exercises. This helped the Ordnance Survey to decide which monuments to publish on maps. During these exercises the details of the monuments were written down on record cards. Copies of some of the cards are kept at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. The responsibility for recording archaeological monuments later passed to the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments. back
source SAM List Scheduled Ancient Monument List. A list or schedule of archaelogical and historic monuments that are considered to be of national importance. The list contains a detailed description of each Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) and a map showing their location and extent. By being placed on the schedule, SAMs are protected by law from any unauthorised distrubance. The list has been compiled and is maintained by English Heritage. It is updated periodically. back
source TBAS Transactions of the Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society is a journal produced by the society annually. It contains articles about archaeological field work that has taken place in Birmingham and Warwickshire in previous years. Copies of the journal are kept by the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
period Modern The Modern Period, about 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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period Medieval 1066 AD to 1539 AD (the 11th century AD to the 16th century AD)

The medieval period comes after the Saxon period and before the post medieval period.

The Medieval period begins in 1066 AD.
This was the year that the Normans, led by William the Conqueror (1066 – 1087), invaded England and defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in East Sussex.
The Medieval period includes the first half of the Tudor period (1485 – 1603 AD), when the Tudor family reigned in England and eventually in Scotland too.

The end of the Medieval period is marked by Henry VIII’s (1509 – 1547) order for the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the years running up to 1539 AD. The whole of this period is sometimes called the Middle Ages.
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period modern About 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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monument DOVECOTE * A building, or part of a building, used to house doves and pigeons, usually placed at a height above the ground, with openings and provision inside for roosting and breeding. back
monument GRANGE * An outlying farm or estate, usually belonging to a religious order or feudal lord. Specifically related to core buildings and structures associated with monastic land holding. Use specific term where known. back
monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument FLOOR * A layer of stone, brick or boards, etc, on which people tread. Use broader site type where known. back
monument PRIORY * A monastery governed by a prior or prioress. Use with narrow terms of DOUBLE HOUSE, FRIARY, MONASTERY or NUNNERY. back
monument COLLIERY * A place where coal is mined. back
monument SQUARE * An open space or area, usually square in plan, in a town or city, enclosed by residential and/or commercial buildings, frequently containing a garden or laid out with trees. back
monument STRUCTURE * A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type. back
monument BARN * A building for the storage and processing of grain crops and for housing straw, farm equipment and occasionally livestock and their fodder. Use more specific type where known. back
monument WALL * An enclosing structure composed of bricks, stones or similar materials, laid in courses. Use specific type where known. back
monument WORKS * Usually a complex of buildings for the processing of raw materials. Use specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record